Paul Kagame addressing World Economic Forum
Delegates at the ongoing World economic Forum on Africa in Kigali have shown the need to adopt 4th industrial revolution in order to transform economies as well as improve lives of citizens on the continent.
“The fourth industrial revolution builds on the previous ones which largely passed Africa by, as a result out continent barely registers in global value chains,” said Rwanda’s President Paul Kagame on Thursday.
The President stressed the need for Africa to increase initiatives in adopting the revolution and added that there is need for continent to work together towards looking for ways to harness the forth industrial revolution.
“Africa should not be still playing catch-up when the fifth revolution comes around,” Kagame said during a session that looked at how Africa can use fourth industrial Revolution to spur growth.
It is believed, as the leaders say that the revolution which builds on the third revolution that mainly saw the rise in the use of information and technology will impact on the economic systems that would help stimulate growth.
Also, Graça Machel, founder of Foundation for Community Development (FDC) echoed the need for urgent implementation of the revolution saying, “We need change now. We are very good at drawing up policies, but very weak at implementation.”
Moreover, leaders at the forum also agreed at the need for investment in infrastructure mainly electrification that would increase internet access to all people across the continent to transform lives.
“All of them (digital transformation) revolves around having access to electricity,’ said Akinwumi Ayodeji Adesina, President, African Development Bank (AfDB).
He adds, “I think that’s why as African Development Bank and a lot of African presidents across the continent, we made a decision that Africa is tired of being in the dark.”
The bank under its energy in Africa program is expected to invest 12.5 billion dollars in the next five years to boost energy production across the region. Currently 640 million cannot access ellectirocty.
The fourth industrial revolution converges digital, physical and biological aspects and has the potential to raise global income levels and improve the quality of life for populations around the world.